Apparatus for a pillow convertible to a soft toy figure

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is disclosed for a pillow that converts into a highly-developed, three-dimensional toy figure that, in certain embodiments, has a life-like shape. The apparatus includes a pillow or a hollow body with one or more clasping mechanisms. When engaged, the clasping mechanisms shape the apparatus into the soft, toy figure. When disengaged, the clasping mechanisms allow the apparatus to serve as a pillow with a soft, comfortable, relatively-flat surface for sleeping. Certain embodiments of the apparatus include an internal cavity that houses an extractable blanket to provide additional bedding.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 60/886,628, entitled “APPARATUS FOR A SOFT TOY CONVERTIBLE TOBEDDING” and filed on Feb. 8, 2007 for Jacob C. Smoot and Reid S. Smoot,which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a pillow that can be shaped into a toy figureand more particularly relates to a pillow that can be shaped into a toyfigure that may also internally store a blanket that may be extracted toserve as bedding.

2. Description of the Related Art

Although children are known to fall asleep almost anywhere, putting achild down for a nap, or for bed, can be challenging. Often a childrequires a favorite stuffed animal and a favorite blanket, in additionto a pillow. Whether travelling a great distance, stopping for a visitwith family and friends, or simply staying at home, accommodating achild's particular needs for sleeping aides can be a cumbersome burden.

Packing and unpacking multiple sleeping accoutrements is a burden, tosay nothing of keeping track of them, even around the house. Should aparticularly favorite stuffed toy, blanket, or pillow be left behind orlost, large investments of emotion, time, and some money may be requiredto help the child overcome the loss and return to his normal sleepingpattern.

Attempts have been made to overcome the problems created by children'sproclivity to multiply their sleeping aids. Inventors have proposedpillows with extractable blankets, stuffed toys with extractableblankets, or even a combination of all three. However, inventions thatcombine the functionalities of a stuffed toy and a pillow fall into oneof two categories, each with its particular problems.

Inventions that combine the functionalities of stuffed toy and pillowinvariably make a pillow double as a stuffed toy or a stuffed toy doubleas a pillow. Inventions that make the pillow double as a stuffed toy donot offer much of a stuffed toy. Pillows doubling as stuffed toys arerather two-dimensional objects that lack the three-dimensional shapingthat stimulates a child's imagination and curiosity. They also lack thethree-dimensional shaping that makes a toy life-like and capable ofinspiring the emotional attachment necessary to make a good sleep aid.

Inventions that make stuffed toys double as pillows have a high degreeof three-dimensional shaping, but acquire that shaping at a cost tosoftness, becoming rigid and inflexible. These three-dimensional pillowsare rather lumpy and hard. They do not make good pillows.

Furthermore, previous inventions including a stowable blanket exacerbatethe comfort issue by including a zipper to insure that a blanket stowedin a stuffed toy or pillow remains in the body hosing the blanket. Azipper or other closing mechanism helps to keep track of the blanket andto insure that the blanket does not become lost. However, previousinventions place the zipper in the middle of the body housing theblanket, rather than along a corner or edge of the body housing theblanket. A zipper in the middle of the body housing the blanketexperiences much greater stresses and strains than it would along acorner or an edge, causing the zipper to break or to wear out early.Furthermore, a zipper across the face of the body housing the blanket—asopposed to along a corner or edge—can become an uncomfortable annoyancewhen that body is used as a pillow.

Future attempts to address children's bedding require an apparatus thatcan overcome the problems of unshapely stuffed toys and hard and lumpypillows with annoyingly placed and easily compromised zippers.Furthermore, an apparatus that will solve the problems of children'sbedding must be attractive and durable. To be attractive as bedding, theapparatus must provide a soft and comfortable pillow. However, thestuffed toy of the apparatus must also be shapely and life-like in threedimensions to inspire the affection and attachment necessary to endurethe apparatus to a child as a sleeping aid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need existsfor an apparatus that can serve as a pillow, a stuffed toy, and possiblya blanket, where the pillow is soft and comfortable and the stuffed toyis shapely and life-like in three dimensions. Beneficially, such anapparatus would include a means for shaping the stuffed toy that wouldnot compromise the softness of the pillow and may include a zipperdiscreetly disposed along a corner or edge of the apparatus to insurethat a blanket stowed in the apparatus would remain in the apparatus.

The present invention has been developed in response to the presentstate of the art and, in particular, in response to the problems andneeds in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currentlyavailable attempts to provide children with a pillow, a stuffed toy, andpossibly a blanket in a single apparatus that result in uncomfortablepillows or unshapely stuffed toys. Accordingly, the present inventionhas been developed to provide an apparatus for a soft and comfortablepillow, possibly with an extractable blanket, that converts into a softand shapely toy figure, thereby overcoming many or all of theabove-discussed shortcomings in the art.

The apparatus to convert a pillow to a soft toy figure is provided witha pillow and at least one clasping mechanism. The pillow has a layer ofcushioning material. The two sides of the clasping mechanism areattached between two sides of the pillow. When the two sides of theclasping mechanism are disengaged, the pillow assumes its natural shapeand serves as a pillow. However, when the clasping mechanism is engaged,it shapes the pillow by cinching its layer of cushioning material. Incertain embodiments, multiple clasping mechanisms are used to furthershape the pillow. The clasping mechanism or clasping mechanisms,thereby, shape the pillow into the shape of a soft toy figure. The toyfigure may be an animal, a vehicle, an imaginary creature, a doll, orother figure recognizable by a child.

In certain embodiments, the apparatus may also include an internalcavity within a hollow body or pillow. The internal cavity may have anopening in one end of the pillow or hollow body. A blanket may beattached to the pillow or the hollow body. The blanket may either stowin the internal cavity or be extracted to be used as bedding material.Certain embodiments may also include an extremity or extremitiesattached to the pillow or the hollow body with a soft filling. Theextremities contribute to the profile of the soft toy figure and mayinclude a head, a tail, an arm, a leg, a wing, or a wheel.

In certain embodiments, the apparatus may also include a closuremechanism along one edge of the apparatus to insure that a stowedblanket remain inside the apparatus. Certain embodiments may alsoinclude a mechanism for attaching and detaching the blanket form theapparatus. These mechanisms may include zippers, corresponding pairs ofhook and loop strips, snaps, buttons, and series of eyelets and hooks,or by other suitable mechanisms known to one of ordinary skill in therelevant art in light of this disclosure.

The two sides of the closure mechanism(s) of the apparatus may be formedwith a first side constituting a loop and a second side constituting astrap. In such embodiments, the strap is configured to be threadedthrough the loop and to double back on itself, so as to cinch the pillowor the hollow body. In the engaged position, the strap is connected toitself, after passing through the loop. The strap may be connected toitself hooks, corresponding pairs of hook and loop strips, snaps, andbuttons, or by other suitable mechanisms known to one of ordinary skillin the relevant art in light of this disclosure.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, orsimilar language does not imply that all of the features and advantagesthat may be realized with the present invention should be or are in anysingle embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to thefeatures and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature,advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language,throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to thesame embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that theinvention may be practiced without one or more of the specific featuresor advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additionalfeatures and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments thatmay not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

These features and advantages of the present invention will become morefully apparent from the following description and appended claims, ormay be learned by the practice of the invention as set forthhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the present invention will be readilyunderstood, a description of the invention will be rendered by referenceto specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings.Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of theinvention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of itsscope, the invention will be described and explained with additionalspecificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a soft pillow inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the underside of a pillow with engagedclasping mechanisms in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a soft toy figure in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front, top-perspective view of one embodiment of the presentinvention with a blanket extracted from an internal cavity of theembodiment; and

FIG. 5 is a rear, bottom-perspective view of one embodiment of thepresent invention with a closure mechanism, a blanket, and an attachmentmechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” andsimilar language throughout this specification may, but do notnecessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details areprovided to give a thorough understanding of embodiments of theinvention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, thatthe invention may be practiced without one or more of the specificdetails, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. Inother instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are notshown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of theinvention.

Those of skill in the art will recognize that suitable materials are notlimited to those described. It will be appreciated by those skilled inthe art that the manufacturing material, toy shape, and many otherfactors will cause the actual dimensions of the soft toy and blanketdimensions to vary. In addition, the apparent dimensions herein areprovided only to clearly illustrate the invention and should not beconstrued as limiting the invention in any way.

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a soft pillow apparatus 100 inaccordance with the present invention. The pillow apparatus 100 may havean outer layer enclosing a cushion. The pillow apparatus 100 may be ahollow body with an internal cavity as discussed below. Although thepillow may have a cut resembling an animal, a vehicle, an imaginarycreature, a doll, or the like, the pillow's shape provides acomfortable, relatively-flat surface for sleeping.

The pillow apparatus 100 may include extremities 102 a, 102 b, 102 c,102 d, 102 e, 102 f. The extremities 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, 102 d, 102 e,102 f may include a head 102 a, arms, legs 102 b, 102 c, 102 e, 102 f, atail 102 d, wheels, wings, and other appendages, depending on theembodiment. The pillow apparatus 100 includes at least one claspingmechanism 104 a, 104 b. The clasping mechanism 104 n may be formed withone or more corresponding pair(s) of hook and loop strips, buckle(s),hook(s), snap(s), button(s), zipper(s) or any other such mechanismsreadily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art in lightof this disclosure.

The clasping mechanism(s) 104 a, 104 b can be engaged or disengaged.When the clasping mechanism(s) 104 a, 104 b are disengaged, the softpillow apparatus 100 assumes its natural shape to provide a soft andcomfortable head rest and surface for sleeping. When the claspingmechanisms 104 a, 104 b are engaged, however, they cinch the soft pillowapparatus 100, shaping the soft pillow apparatus 100 to form athree-dimensional, soft, toy figure.

FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of the underside of a pillow apparatus 200with engaged clasping mechanisms 204 a, 204 b in accordance with thepresent invention. The pillow apparatus may have extremities 202 a, 202b, 202 c, 202 d, 202 e, 202 f. The extremities 202 a, 202 b, 202 c, 202d, 202 e, 202 f may include a head 202 a, arms, legs 202 b, 202 c, 202e, 202 f, a tail 202 d, wheels, wings, and other appendages, dependingon the embodiment.

The clasping mechanisms 204 a, 204 b, may each be provided with a loop206 a, 206 b and a strap 208 a, 208 b. Each loop 206 n is attached to aside of the pillow apparatus 200 opposite the side to which the strap208 n is attached. Furthermore, each loop 206 n has an opening 210 nlarge enough for its corresponding strap 208 n to pass through the loop206 n and double back on the corresponding strap 208 n. Alternatively,each clasping mechanism 204 n may be formed with one or morecorresponding pair(s) of hook and loop strips, buckle(s), hook(s),snap(s), button(s), zipper(s) or any other such mechanisms readilyapparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art in light of thisdisclosure.

When a clasping mechanism 204 n is engaged, the corresponding strap 208n is pulled tight, thereby, cinching and rounding the pillow apparatus200. The fully cinched and rounded pillow apparatus 200, whether by oneclasping mechanism 204 n or multiple clasping mechanisms 204 a-204 n,takes on a three-dimensional and, in certain embodiments, a life-likeshape, as depicted in FIG. 3. When all of the clasping mechanisms 204a-204 n are fully disengaged, the pillow apparatus 200 takes on a shapeconfigured to serve as a pillow, with a comfortable, relatively-flatsurface for sleeping. Therefore, clasping mechanisms 204 a-204 n providea means for creating a highly-developed, three-dimensional figure, andin some embodiments, a life-like figure, without sacrificing softnessand comfort when, the pillow apparatus 200 is configured to serve as apillow.

Once the clasping mechanism 204 n is engaged, the strap 208 n isattached to itself by a locking mechanism 212 n. The locking mechanism212 n may be formed with one or more corresponding pair(s) of hook andloop strips—as depicted in FIG. 2—buckle(s), hook(s), snap(s),button(s), or any other such mechanisms readily apparent to one ofordinary skill in the relevant art in light of this disclosure. The softtoy figure formed by the engaged clasping mechanism(s) 204 a, 204 b maydepict an animal, a vehicle, an imaginary creature, a doll, or any otherfigure easily recognizable by a child.

The pillow apparatus 200 may be a hollow body, with a top layer 214, abottom layer 216, and a layer of soft filling material 218 in betweenthe top layer 214 and the bottom layer 216. The bottom layer 216circumscribes an internal cavity 220. The internal cavity 220 has anopening 222 disposed along one end of the hollow body. In certainembodiments, the internal cavity 220 houses an extractable blanket morefully discussed below.

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a soft toy FIG.300 in accordance with the present invention. One or more claspingmechanism(s) substantially similar to those discussed with reference toFIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 provide the soft toy FIG. 300 with itshighly-developed, three-dimensional shape and, in certainembodiments—such as the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3—a life-like shape.As depicted in FIG. 3, the soft toy FIG. 300 may have one or moreextremities 302 a, 302 b, 302 c, 302 e, 302 f, which contribute to theoverall shape and profile of the soft toy FIG. 300. The extremities 302a, 302 b, 302 c, 302 e, 302 f may include a head 302 a, arms, legs 302b, 302 c, 302 e, 302 f, a tail, wheels, wings, and other appendages,depending on the embodiment. As a result of the extremities 302 a, 302b, 302 c, 302 e, 302 f and the shaping, the soft toy FIG. 300 may depictan animal, a vehicle, an imaginary creature, a doll, or any other figureeasily recognizable by a child.

FIG. 4 depicts a front, top-perspective view of a bedding apparatus 400with a blanket 410 extracted from an internal cavity, where the beddingapparatus 400 is in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment with extremities 402 a, 402 b,402 c, 402 d, 402 e, 402 f, where one of the extremities is a head 402a, four of the extremities are legs 402 b, 402 c, 402 e, 402 f, and oneof the extremities is a tail 402 d. FIG. 4 also depicts multipleclasping mechanisms 404 a, 404 b.

The bedding apparatus 400 of FIG. 4 is provided with a blanket 410. Theblanket 410 is attached to the bedding apparatus 400. Furthermore, theblanket may be folded, and/or rolled, and/or stuffed so that it may bestowed in the bedding apparatus 400. In FIG. 4, the blanket 410 isdepicted fully extracted from the bedding apparatus 400.

In certain embodiments, the head 402 a is filled with a soft material orfilling. In such embodiments, the head 402 a can serve as a mini-pillowto provide cushioning in addition to the cushioning remaining in thehollow body/pillow once the blanket 410 has been extracted. In one suchembodiment, for example, the head 402 a is filled with micro-beads.Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the clasping mechanisms 404 a, 404b may be engaged once the blanket 410 has been extracted to round andshape the bedding apparatus 400 into a soft pillow, as opposed to a softtoy figure.

FIG. 5 depicts a rear, bottom-perspective view of a bedding apparatus500 with a closure mechanism 522, a blanket 510, and an attachmentmechanism 526, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 5 depicts extremities 502 c, 502 e in the form of legsattached to the bedding apparatus 500. FIG. 5 also depicts a claspingmechanism 504 in the engaged position with a corresponding loop 506 anda corresponding strap 508.

The bedding apparatus 500 is provided with a blanket 510. The beddingapparatus 500 has an internal cavity 520 with an opening 522 at one endof the bedding apparatus 500. Around the perimeter of the opening 522 isa closure mechanism 524. The closure mechanism 224 may be formed with azipper, as depicted in FIG. 5, a corresponding pair of hook and loopstrips, snaps, buttons, a series of eyelets and hooks, or any other suchmechanisms readily apparent to one skilled in the relevant art. When theblanket 510 is folded, and/or rolled, and/or stuffed into the internalcavity 520 of the bedding apparatus, the closure mechanism 524 preventsthe blanket 510 from working its way outside of the internal cavity 520.

When the blanket 510 is extracted from the internal cavity 520, theblanket 510 remains attached to the bedding apparatus 500 by anattachment mechanism 526. The attachment mechanism 526 keeps the blanket510 attached to the bedding apparatus 500 when the attachment mechanism526 is engaged. When the attachment mechanism 526 is disengaged, theblanket 510 is no longer attached to the bedding apparatus 500 and maybe removed. In embodiments without an attachment mechanism 526, theblanket 510 is permanently attached to the bedding apparatus 500 andcannot be removed. The attachment mechanism 526 may be formed with azipper, as depicted in FIG. 5, a corresponding pair of hook and loopstrips, snaps, buttons, and other mechanisms that will be apparent toone of ordinary skill in the relevant art in light of this disclosure.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

1. A soft pillow apparatus that converts into a toy figure, the softpillow apparatus comprising: a pillow comprising an outer layer and aninner layer, the outer layer enclosing the inner layer; and at least oneclasping mechanism attached between the two sides of the pillow, theclasping mechanism having two sides, the two sides being capable ofbeing engaged to cinch the pillow and of being disengaged to allow thepillow to assume its natural shape, the natural shape of the pillowbeing configured to serve as a pillow, the cinched pillow displaying theprofile of a toy figure.
 2. The soft pillow apparatus of claim 1,wherein the inner layer is comprised of a cushioning material.
 3. Thesoft pillow apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an internal cavitywithin the pillow, the internal cavity having an opening in one end ofthe pillow.
 4. The soft pillow apparatus of claim 2, further comprisinga closure mechanism disposed along the opening of the internal cavity,wherein the closure mechanism closes the internal cavity when theclosure mechanism is engaged and the closure mechanism exposes theinternal cavity when the closure mechanism is disengaged, wherein theclosure mechanism is one of a zipper, a corresponding pair of hook andloop strips, snaps, buttons, and a series of eyelets and hooks.
 5. Thesoft pillow apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a blanket attachedto the pillow and configured to compress and to fit into the internalcavity, and further configured to extend from the pillow when fullyspread out.
 6. The soft pillow apparatus of claim 5, wherein the blanketis attached to the pillow by one of a zipper, a corresponding pair ofhook and loop strips, snaps, and buttons, such that the blanket may bedetached from the pillow.
 7. The soft pillow apparatus of claim 1,further comprising at least one extremity attached to the pillow, theextremity having a soft filling and contributing to the profile of thetoy figure displayed by the cinched pillow.
 8. The soft toy apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein at least one extremity is one of a head a tail, an arm,a leg, a wing, and a wheel.
 9. The soft pillow apparatus of claim 1,wherein a first side of the two sides of the clasping mechanism iscomprised of a loop and a second side of the two sides of the claspingmechanism is comprised of a strap, the strap configured to be threadedthrough the loop, to double back on itself, and to be connected toitself, after passing through the loop, by one of at least one hook, atleast one corresponding pair of hook and loop strips, at least onebuckle, at least one snap, and at least one button, so as to cinch thepillow.
 10. The soft pillow apparatus of claim 1, wherein the toy figuredisplayed by the cinched pillow is one of an animal, a vehicle, animaginary creature, and a doll.
 11. A soft toy apparatus that convertsto bedding, the soft toy apparatus comprising: a hollow body having atop layer and a bottom layer, the top layer attached to the bottomlayer, thereby forming an internal cavity, the internal cavity having anopening in one end of the hollow body; a blanket attached to the hollowbody and configured to compress and to fit into the internal cavity, andfurther configured to extend from the hollow body when fully spread out;and at least one clasping mechanism attached between the two sides ofthe hollow body, the clasping mechanism having two sides, the two sidesbeing capable of being engaged to cinch the hollow body and of beingdisengaged to allow the hollow body to assume its natural shape, thenatural shape of the hollow body being configured to serve as a pillow,the cinched hollow body displaying the profile of a toy figure.
 12. Thesoft toy apparatus of claim 11, wherein the hollow body also has a layerof soft filling between at least one of the top layer and the bottomlayer and the internal cavity.
 13. The soft toy apparatus of claim 11,further comprising a closure mechanism disposed along the opening of theinternal cavity, wherein the closure mechanism closes the internalcavity when the closure mechanism is engaged and the closure mechanismexposes the internal cavity when the closure mechanism is disengaged andwherein the closure mechanism is one of a zipper, a corresponding pairof hook and loop strips, snaps, buttons, and a series of eyelets andhooks.
 14. The soft toy apparatus of claim 11, wherein the blanket isattached to the hallow body by one of a zipper, a corresponding pair ofhook and loop strips, snaps, and buttons, such that the blanket may bedetached from the hallow body.
 15. The soft toy apparatus of claim 11,further comprising at least one extremity attached to the hollow body,the extremity having a soft filling and contributing to the profile ofthe toy figure displayed by the cinched hallow body.
 16. The soft toyapparatus of claim 15, wherein at least one extremity is one of a head atail, an arm, a leg, a wing, and a wheel.
 17. The soft toy apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein a first side of the two sides of the claspingmechanism is comprised of a loop and a second side of the two sides ofthe clasping mechanism is comprised of a strap, the strap configured tobe threaded through the loop, to double back on itself, and to beconnected to itself, after passing through the loop, by one of at leastone hook, at least one corresponding pair of hook and loop strips, atleast one buckle, at least one snap, and at least one button, so as tocinch the hollow body.
 18. The soft toy apparatus of claim 11, whereinthe toy figure displayed by the cinched hollow body is one of an animal,a vehicle, an imaginary creature, and a doll.
 19. A soft pillowapparatus that converts to a toy figure, the soft pillow apparatuscomprising: a pillow comprising an outer layer and an inner layer, theouter layer enclosing the inner layer; an internal cavity within thepillow, the internal cavity having an opening in one end of the pillow,the opening having a closure mechanism that is engaged to close theinternal cavity and is released to expose the internal cavity, theclosure mechanism being one of a zipper, a corresponding pair of hookand loop strips, snaps, buttons, and a series of eyelets and hooks. ablanket attached to the pillow and configured to compress and to fitinto the internal cavity, and further configured to extend from thepillow when fully unfurled; at least one clasping mechanism attachedbetween the two sides of the pillow, the clasping mechanism having twosides, the two sides being capable of being engaged to cinch the pillowand of being disengaged to allow the pillow to assume its natural shape,the natural shape of the pillow being configured to serve as a pillow,the cinched pillow displaying the profile of a toy figure; and at leastone extremity attached to the pillow, the extremity having a softfilling, being one of a head, a tail, an arm, a leg, a wing, and awheel, and contributing to the profile of the toy figure displayed bythe cinched pillow.
 20. The soft pillow apparatus of claim 19, whereinthe inner layer is comprised of a cushioning material.
 21. The softpillow apparatus of claim 19, wherein the blanket is attached to thepillow by one of a zipper, a corresponding pair of hook and loop strips,snaps, and buttons, such that the blanket may be detached from thepillow.
 22. The soft pillow apparatus of claim 19, wherein a first sideof the two sides of the clasping mechanism is comprised of a loop and asecond side of the two sides of the clasping mechanism is comprised of astrap, the strap configured to be threaded through the loop, to doubleback on itself, and to be connected to itself, after passing through theloop, by one of at least one hook, at least one corresponding pair ofhook and loop strips, at least one buckle, at least one snap, and atleast one button, so as to cinch the pillow.
 23. The soft pillowapparatus of claim 19, wherein the toy figure displayed by the cinchedpillow is one of an animal, a vehicle, an imaginary creature, and adoll.